Moving from Little Rock, AR to St. Louis, MO
Relocating between Little Rock, AR and St. Louis, MO is a 354 mi drive β 6h 43m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
354 mi Β· 6h 43m by car Β· MO β AR
Distance & route
| Route through | MO β AR |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 67, I 57, I 55 |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Little Rock | St. Louis | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.364 | 95.088 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 74.635 | 69.921 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.577 | 99.996 | 100.0 |
| Services | 68.295 | 79.024 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 6.4% above Little Rock β 89.364 β 95.088 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: Little Rock +2.2%, St. Louis β. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Little Rock | St. Louis |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 58Β°F |
| January avg low | 31Β°F | 25Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.8" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 50.4" | 43.9" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LITTLE ROCK AP ADAMS FLD, AR US, ST LOUIS SCI CTR, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Little Rock | St. Louis |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 293,109 |
| Median household income | $60,583 | $55,279 |
| Median age | 36.4 | 36.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25% | 22% |
| Avg household size | 2.33 | 2.03 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 6.4% lower in St. Louis than Little Rock.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in St. Louis MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 162,150 | $43,310 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 119,600 | $29,980 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 115,380 | $39,330 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 108,510 | $35,500 |
| Management Occupations | 94,750 | $100,940 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Arkansas and Missouri
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Missouri's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Tornadoes are common April through June β identify a safe room or interior space on day one.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in Missouri after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Little Rock to St. Louis?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 354 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is St. Louis, MO from Little Rock, AR?
The driving distance is 354 mi and the route typically takes 6h 43m via US 67 and I 57. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is St. Louis more expensive than Little Rock?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in St. Louis is 6.4% higher than Little Rock (95.088 vs 89.364, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in St. Louis compare to Little Rock?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,490 in the St. Louis MSA vs $42,100 in the Little Rock MSA, on total employment of 1,325,480 and 345,890 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Little Rock vs St. Louis?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,279 in St. Louis vs $60,583 in Little Rock β a 8.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Little Rock.
City profiles: Little Rock, AR Β· St. Louis, MO.